MOGADISHU, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) — Somalia and the United Nations (UN) agencies joined the rest of the world to observe the International Day of the Girl Child on Wednesday. They pledged to continue advocating for the rights of Somali girls.
Abdihakim Jimale Aden, the Somali deputy minister in the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development, reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to addressing significant human rights issues such as child marriage, female genital mutilation, and limited educational access. These issues continue to have a severe impact on Somali girls.
In a joint statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, Aden stated, “We must actively cultivate an environment where every girl has an equal opportunity to learn, grow, and achieve her aspirations, free from discrimination and harm.”
The event brought together over 200 participants, including government officials, UN representatives, youth activists, civil society groups, community elders, journalists, and development partners.
Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, the representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Somalia, emphasized the need for a more inclusive approach to safeguarding the well-being of women and girls. Abdelatef stated, “We cannot make progress without directly listening to girls themselves, understanding their lived experiences, hopes, and ideas for positive change.”
Participants also called for targeted investments in the areas of health, education, protection, and empowerment of Somali girls. They recognized the enormous potential of these girls and the role they can play in driving national progress.
During the event, an innovative project called “Healthier Somali Women and Girls” was launched, aimed at improving access to quality maternal and newborn healthcare across Somalia. The project, with a budget of 2.7 million U.S. dollars, will enhance maternal and child health services in marginalized communities in the Southern and Central regions of Somalia.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
